December 3, 201312 yr While having a cup of pry my eyes open in the morning wake up coffee, for some reason flint strikers came to my mind. Now with that, my mind was drawn to the name of a man I've never met, I've always enjoyed his informative posts and pictures on fire steels/flint strikers. He has made many hundreds and many different shapes to show a sort of pictorial reference of different time periods and cultures. While this man that I never did know personnaly has passed onto a different life years ago (2009) I still am inspired by his desire to research and make fire steels during his time on this earth. Continue to Rest in Peace Mike Ameling.This is just one of many blacksmiths that over the years have passed that I try to keep in my mind for inspiration to keep forging onward. I do not know to what extent he actually forged - by that I mean if he did any other forge work besides fire steel work, but for what some may say is small trinket type stuff - I think he did it well by the pictures he had posted.Who has been a small inspirational force in keeping you involved blacksmithing? Yes, there are always the big names that are first listed due to popularity, but there are so many that get lost in the coal dust.What an enjoyable way to wake up - a fresh cup of coffee and some reminiscing of past blacksmiths works of art. Just thought I'd share this.
December 3, 201312 yr My good friend John Rausch passed away this year, I shall miss him more than words can express, he always told me this one important thing, "If you're gonna make one...make two"! RIP good buddy!
December 3, 201312 yr Emmet Studebaker Tipp City Ohio and Isaac Doss Berryville---anvil on his tombstone (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=12600840); Arkansas; I met both of them when they were in their 80's and 90's and still smithing some.
December 3, 201312 yr Charlie Sutton who did his apprenticeship in England then emigrated to Canada. He is the author of Under a Spreading Chestnut tree and was a regular demonstrator at OABA meetings. And of course Grant Sarver who I never met in person only online and on the phone. I learned a lot from Grant, both forging and equally as important about the business of forging.
December 3, 201312 yr My great grandfather Soren R Miller a blacksmith in Rockford Nebraska 1890's -1920's
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